Category Archives: Orca Awards

The 2015 Orca Awards – Best Crossword

Posted on March 5, 2016 by Sam Donaldson

The Orcas conclude today with the award for Best Crossword. Before we get to the last award, let’s recap the winners thus far: Best Easy Crossword, Lynn Lempel Merl Reagle Award for Best Sunday-Sized Crossword, Jeremy Newton Best Freestyle Crossword, … Continue reading →

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The 2015 Orca Awards – Best Clue and Constructor of the Year

Posted on March 4, 2016 by Sam Donaldson

Orcas Week is winding down. Today we present the Bob Klahn Award for Best Clue and the Margaret Farrar Constructor of the Year Award. Tomorrow the festivities end with the award for Best Crossword. There’s mystery in the air this … Continue reading →

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The 2015 Orca Awards – Best Gimmick Crossword

Posted on March 3, 2016 by Sam Donaldson

Time for today’s installment of the Orcas, our  annual “awards show” saluting some of the best crosswords from 2015. Today features the Orca for Best Gimmick Crossword. We’re getting close to the big finale on Saturday when the coveted Orca … Continue reading →

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The 2015 Orca Awards – Best Meta/Contest Crossword

Posted on March 2, 2016 by Sam Donaldson

Welcome back to the Orcas, our annual recap honoring outstanding achievement in crossword construction. Today we present the Orca for Best Meta/Contest Crossword, the fifth of nine awards given out this year. To recap the schedule for the week: • … Continue reading →

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The 2015 Orca Awards – Best Freestyle and Best Tournament Crossword

Posted on March 1, 2016 by Sam Donaldson

It’s a beautiful day for the Orcas—let’s give two! Today we double the fun with awards for themeless and tournament puzzles. It’s all part of our week-long ceremony honoring some of the best puzzles from 2015. To recap where we … Continue reading →

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The 2015 Orca Awards – Best Sunday-Sized Crossword

Posted on February 29, 2016 by Sam Donaldson

The Orcas continue today with the award for Best Sunday-Sized Crossword, the top honor for crosswords 21×21 and larger. Remember that the Orcas will continue all week according to this schedule: • Sunday, February 28: Best Easy Crossword (won by … Continue reading →

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The 2015 Orca Awards – Best Easy Crossword

Posted on February 28, 2016 by Sam Donaldson

Today marks the start of the fifth annual Orca Awards, our week-long ceremony cum love-fest honoring outstanding achievement in crossword construction. For the next several days we will look back and toast some of the best puzzles from 2015. #OrcasSoBlackAndWhite … Continue reading →

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The 2014 Orca Awards – Best Crossword

Posted on March 7, 2015 by Sam Donaldson

Orcas Week now concludes (finally!) with the coveted award for Best Crossword. Before we get to the big honor, thanks to Amy for giving me permission to run with this idea. It’s both fun and inspirational to take a closer … Continue reading →

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The 2014 Orca Awards – Best Gimmick Crossword

Posted on March 5, 2015 by Sam Donaldson

Welcome back! It’s now Day Five of Orcas Week, our annual celebration of exceptional crosswords from 2014. Today we present the award for Best Gimmick Crossword, a puzzle that employs a unique twist or novel concept. After today there are … Continue reading →

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The 2014 Orca Awards – Best Freestyle Crossword

Posted on March 3, 2015 by Sam Donaldson

Welcome back to Orcas Week, the event that makes Shark Week look like Shark Weak. Our annual awards ceremony celebrating outstanding achievement in crossword construction continues now with Best Freestyle Crossword, the award for the most outstanding themeless puzzle from … Continue reading →

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